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Microsoft Office, which includes word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs, is the dominant office software package in the workplace. It typically costs several hundred dollars.

What if you could get something just like it for free?

You can. It's called OpenOffice. You can download and use the open source software at no cost.

OpenOffice is celebrating its fourth birthday, and is just beginning to make inroads in the U.S.

eWeek put OpenOffice to the test by installing it on computers at FN, a South Carolina defense contractor.

eWeek's Jason Brooks says for the most part, FN employees found that OpenOffice compared favorably to Microsoft Office.

Elsewhere:

Business Week: Microsoft not so scary to competitors

New York Times: New Jersey lawsuit challenges electronic voting

USA Today: Technology for those who stutter

Wired: Inventor rejoices as TVs goes dark

eWeek: Firefox browser readies marketing campaign